Antivirus guidelines for CS Professional Suite applications

Internal Employees

Thomson Reuters emphasizes the importance of working in a secure environment that includes up-to-date antivirus, antimalware, and firewall solutions when using our CS Professional Suite as well as other applications for processing and storing information for your firm and your clients. Please consult with a qualified IT professional when selecting, implementing, and configuring antivirus, antimalware, and firewall solutions for your firm's network and workstations. Taking appropriate antivirus measures is imperative to ensuring your firm's standards of software performance, stability, and data integrity.

Do not temporarily disable your antivirus as an alternative to setting the recommended exceptions. Many antivirus programs continue to run after being disabled, which means that undesired antivirus intervention can occur.

Antivirus configuration

Antivirus applications are designed to detect, prevent, contain, and disarm or remove viruses, spyware, malware, and other malicious software and to protect your workstation or server environment from harmful and unknown threats.

Be sure that your antivirus application is appropriate for your operating system. Some antivirus applications do not perform well on certain server operating systems and could cause network delays.
Because antivirus scanning consumes many resources, consider scheduling automatic scans during off-business hours.
If your firm has an antivirus application installed on both workstations and servers, do not allow the workstations to perform real-time scanning on server drives. Letting the server scan its own drives reduces network delays and minimizes interference with network traffic. Refer to your antivirus provider's instructions to determine how to turn off the real-time scanning of network drives.

Many antivirus programs provide automatic protection (commonly known as real-time protection) that runs continuously while a computer is in use. Real-time protection could potentially interfere with the performance, functionality, or data integrity of a CS Professional Suite application and could negatively impact productivity by slowing the speed of the application, by preventing the application from launching, and even by corrupting data.

Antivirus applications typically allow configuration options to exclude trusted sources from real-time protection. This topic lists recommended specifications for antivirus exclusions and exceptions to help ensure best performance of our CS Professional Suite applications.

Excluding specific folders from the scan

Certain antivirus applications allow exclusions or exceptions from real-time protection for specific folder locations. For all locally installed CS Professional Suite applications, Thomson Reuters recommends excluding the WinCSI folder. Also, please refer to the additional information below as applicable to your firm.

Note: While we recommend that the folder locations noted here be excluded from real-time scanning, you should continue to include these folders in your antivirus software's scheduled, off-hours scanning.

Accounting CS

Accounting CS uses several local folders to run the application. Please exclude the following folders from real-time scanning on all workstations that run Accounting CS:

C:\Program Files\Creative Solutions\Accounting CS
C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative Solutions\Accounting CS if on a 64-bit operating system
C:\ProgramData\Creative Solutions\Accounting CS
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Creative Solutions\Accounting CS

Note: Also see the SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications section below if you run an antivirus application on the machine where the SQL Server instance for Accounting CS is installed.

Engagement CS

Engagement CS uses a specific local folder to run the application. Please exclude the C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Solutions folder from real-time scanning on all workstations that run Engagement CS.

FileCabinet CS

FileCabinet CS enables you to create multiple user-specified data and archive locations that could potentially reside outside of the CS Professional Suite default WinCSI folder. For any of these data or archive locations, we recommend excluding these folders from real-time antivirus scanning.

Note: Also see the SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications section below if you use an optional SQL data location and run an antivirus application on the machine where the SQL Server instance for FileCabinet CS is installed.

Planner CS

Planner CS uses the local directory to temporarily store client data when integrating with other CS Professional Suite applications. We recommend that you exclude the C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp\ folder from real-time scanning.

Practice CS

Practice CS uses several local folders to run the application. Please exclude the following folders from real-time scanning on all workstations that run Practice CS.

C:\ProgramData\Creative Solutions\Practice CS
C:\Program Files\Creative Solutions\Practice CS
C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative Solutions\Practice CS if on a 64-bit operating system
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Creative Solutions\Practice CS

Note: Also see the SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications section below if you run an antivirus application on the machine where the SQL Server instance for Practice CS is installed.

SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications

CS Professional Suite applications such as Accounting CS, Practice CS, Workpapers CS, and (optionally) FileCabinet CS use SQL databases. If you run an antivirus application on the machine where the SQL Server instance for your CS Professional Suite applications is installed, we recommend excluding the folder location of the Microsoft SQL Server instance from real-time scanning. Refer to the table below to determine the default location of your Microsoft SQL Server installation, based on the version you are running.

Microsoft SQL Server 2008	C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.[instance_name] C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.[instance_name] (if installed on a 64-bit operating system)
Microsoft SQL Server 2012	C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.[instance_name] C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.[instance_name] (if installed on a 64-bit operating system)
Microsoft SQL Server 2014	C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.[instance_name] C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL12.[instance_name] (if installed on a 64-bit operating system)
Microsoft SQL Server 2016	C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL13.[instance_name] C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL13.[instance_name] (if installed on a 64-bit operating system)
Microsoft SQL Server 2017	C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL14.[instance_name] C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL14.[instance_name] (if installed on a 64-bit operating system)

The locations specified above are the default paths for the SQL Server instance folders. However, SQL installations can be customized to place this folder in a different location. Be sure to contact your firm's qualified IT professional for assistance with a customized SQL Server installation.

For additional information on configuring antivirus in a SQL environment, please see How to choose antivirus software to run on computers that are running SQL Server (What's this?) on the Microsoft website.

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UltraTax CS

UltraTax CS uses a local drive to temporarily store client data when a client is opened. We recommend that you exclude the following folders from real-time scanning:

C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Thomson Reuters (for UltraTax CS 2014 and all future versions)
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp\UT13Data (for UltraTax CS 2013)

If you mark the Improve performance using local drive option in the Setup > User Preferences > Misc tab, the application will create a X:\WinCSI.net folder, where X represents your selected local drive. We recommend that you also exclude this folder from real-time scanning.

Virtual Office CS or Software as a Service (SaaS) environment

Citrix is an important component for firms that run CS Professional Suite applications in the Virtual Office CS or SaaS environment. We recommend excluding the following folders from real-time scanning:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Citrix

If you use the FileCabinet CS Print Driver in the Virtual Office CS or SaaS environment and FileCabinet CS is not currently open, the application temporarily stores a print job in a local folder. We recommend excluding the following folders from real-time scanning:

C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Temp\CSVOXfr_workdir
C:\Windows\Temp\CSVOXfr_workdir

For additional guidelines, please see Citrix Guidelines for Antivirus Software Configuration.

Workpapers CS

Workpapers CS uses several local folders to run the application. Please exclude the following folders from real-time scanning on all workstations that run Workpapers CS.

C:\Program Files\Creative Solutions\Workpapers CS
C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative Solutions\Workpapers CS if on a 64-bit operating system
C:\ProgramData\Creative Solutions\Workpapers CS
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Creative Solutions\Workpapers CS

Note: Also see the SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications section above if you run an antivirus application on the machine where the SQL Server instance for Practice CS is installed.

Excluding specific executable files from the scan

Some antivirus applications may not allow exclusions for entire folders but do allow exclusions for specific files. Listed below are the application-specific recommended exclusions for the CS Professional Suite.

Antivirus applications may also track the file size, version, or other attributes of the executable files for which exclusions have already been defined. As a result, you may need to redefine these exclusions within your antivirus application from time to time as updates are applied.

Note: For additional antivirus guidelines that may pertain to the CS Professional Suite, see Microsoft Antivirus Exclusion List on the Microsoft website and Citrix Guidelines for Antivirus Software Configuration on the Citrix website.

Accounting CS

Filename	File location	Description
AccountingCS.exe	X:\WinCSI\Accounting CS	executable file for Accounting CS
csiupd.exe	X:\WinCSI\Accounting CS	executable file for CS Connect
connectbgdl.exe	X:\WinCSI\Tools	executable file for CS Connect background services

Note: Also see the SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications table below if you run an antivirus application on the machine where the SQL instance for Accounting CS is installed.

FileCabinet CS

Filename	File Location	Description
fcabapp.exe	X:\WinCSI\Cabinet	executable file for FileCabinet CS
fcab.exe	X:\WinCSI\Cabinet	executable file for FileCabinet CS
csiupd.exe	X:\WinCSI\Cabinet	executable file for FileCabinet CS
setup.exe	X:\WinCSI\Cabinet\Desktop	executable file for FileCabinet CS desktop setup
connectbgdl.exe	X:\WinCSI\Tools	executable file for CS Connect background services
setup.exe	X:\WinCSI\Tools\UTLicYY	executable file for license installation, where YY represents the last two digits of the year version of UltraTax CS

Note: Also see the SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications table below if you use an optional SQL data location and run an antivirus application on the machine where the SQL Server instance for FileCabinet CS is installed.

Fixed Assets CS

Filename	File location	Description
dsw.exe	X:\WinCSI\DSW	executable file for Fixed Assets CS
dswapp.exe	X:\WinCSI\DSW	executable file for Fixed Assets CS
setup.exe	X:\WinCSI\DSW\Desktop	executable file for Fixed Assets CS desktop setup
csiupd.exe	X:\WinCSI\DSW	executable file for CS Connect
connectbgdl.exe	X:\WinCSI\Tools	executable file for CS Connect background services
setup.exe	X:\WinCSI\Tools\UTLicYY	executable file for license installation, where YY represents the last two digits of the year version of UltraTax CS

Planner CS

Filename	File location	Description
UTP.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTP	executable file for Planner CS
UTPKEYS.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTP	executable file for Planner CS
setup.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTP\Desktop	executable file for Planner CS desktop setup
CSIUPD.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTP	executable file for CS Connect
UTPCON.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTP	executable file for CS Connect

Practice CS

Filename	File location	Description
CreativeSolutions.Practice.exe	X:\WinCSI\Practice CS	executable file for Practice CS
csiupd.exe	X:\WinCSI\Practice CS	executable file for CS Connect
connectbgdl.exe	X:\WinCSI\Tools	executable file for CS Connect background services

Note: Also see the SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications table below if you run an antivirus application on the machine where the SQL Server instance for Practice CS is installed.

SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications

Filename	File location
sqlbrowser.exe executable file for SQL Browser	C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\ C:Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\ (if on a 64-bit operating system)
sqlservr.exe primary executable file for Microsoft SQL Server suite	C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQLXX.<INSTANCE_NAME>\MSSQL\Binn\ C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQLXX.<INSTANCE_NAME>\MSSQL\Binn\ (if on a 64-bit operating system) (Where XX represents the version of your SQL Server instance)

The file locations specified above are the default paths for these SQL Server executables. However, SQL Server installations can be customized to place these files in a different location. Please contact your firm's qualified IT professional for assistance with a customized SQL Server installation.

For additional information on configuring antivirus applications in a SQL environment, please see How to choose antivirus software to run on computers that are running SQL Server on the Microsoft website.

UltraTax CS

Filename	File location	Description
utwYY.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTYY	executable file for UltraTax CS, where YY represents the last two digits of the year version of UltraTax CS
utwapp.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTYY	executable file for UltraTax CS
csiupd.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTYY	executable file for CS Connect
utwYYk1.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTYY	executable file for UltraTax CS Bar Code Scan
utwYYsde.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTYY	executable file for UltraTax CS Source Data Entry
setup.exe	X:\WinCSI\UTYY\Desktop	executable file for UltraTax CS desktop setup
connectbgdl.exe	X:\WinCSI\Tools	executable file for CS Connect background services
setup.exe	X:\WinCSI\Tools\UTLicYY	executable file for UltraTax CS license installation

Virtual Office CS or SaaS environment

Filename	File location	Description
concentr.exe	C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\ICA Client	executable file for Citrix Connection Center
wfcrun32.exe	C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\ICA Client	executable file for Citrix Connection Manager
wfica32.exe	C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\ICA Client	executable file for Citrix HDX Engine
CtxTwnPA.exe	C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\ICA Client	executable file for Citrix Twain Redirection
SelfService.exe	C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\SelfServicePlugin	executable file for Citrix Receiver
SelfServicePlugin.exe	C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\SelfServicePlugin	executable file for Citrix Receiver
Receiver.exe	C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\Receiver	executable file for Citrix Receiver application

Note: For additional antivirus guidelines that may pertain to the CS Professional Suite, see Microsoft Antivirus Exclusion List on Microsoft's website and Citrix Guidelines for Antivirus Software Configuration on Citrix's website.

Workpapers CS

Filename	File location	Description
WorkpapersCS.exe	X:\WinCSI\Workpapers CS	executable file for Workpapers CS
csiupd.exe	X:\WinCSI\Workpapers CS	executable file for CS Connect
connectbgdl.exe	X:\WinCSI\Tools	executable file for CS Connect background services

Note: Also see the SQL-based CS Professional Suite applications table above if you run an antivirus application on the machine where the SQL Server instance for Workpapers CS is installed.

Excluding specific file types from the scan

Some antivirus applications allow exclusions for specific file extensions. Listed below are file-type extensions for applications in the CS Professional Suite that can be excluded from real-time scanning.

Application	File Extensions
Accounting CS	same as SQL Server: .mdf, .ldf, .bdf, .bak
FileCabinet CS	.ccd, .cci
Planner CS	.udx
Practice CS	same as SQL Server: .mdf, .ldf, .bdf, .bak
SQL Server	.mdf, .ldf, .bdf, .bak
UltraTax CS	.ut, .zpd (where represents any character)
Virtual Office CS or SaaS environment	.ica
Workpapers CS	same as SQL Server: .mdf, .ldf, .bdf, .bak

Protecting against spyware and malware

You should be aware of the possibility that computer programs could be installed on workstations without your knowledge or consent, sometimes along with the operating system or an application. Furthermore, spyware and malware can be discretely added to computers via the internet and can dramatically affect network performance by running in the background, consuming large amounts of bandwidth and memory.

When implementing antispyware and antimalware applications, you may need to create exclusions and exemptions within those applications (similar to those suggested above for antivirus applications) to prevent interference with CS Professional Suite applications. We suggest that your firm's qualified IT professional review and install antispyware and antimalware applications that meet the needs of your firm.

Troubleshooting performance issues

To determine whether background applications are slowing your network, first disable all background applications. The method of doing this varies by operating system, but in most instances restarting the computer in selective startup mode will prevent those processes from starting. If your network speed improves by disabling background processes, you should take steps to prevent those processes from loading on startup. Because the method of disabling applications can vary, you should consult with your firm's qualified IT professional.

Configuring commonly used antivirus/antimalware applications

Thomson Reuters does not endorse a specific vendor or product for antivirus protection. If you require additional assistance configuring your antivirus application, please contact your software vendor. Listed below are common antivirus vendors and links for support assistance.

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